Image forming apparatus and control method

ABSTRACT

Provided is an image forming apparatus including a controller, a communicator that communicates with a management server, and an image former that forms an image. The communicator includes a first communicator and a second communicator. The controller transmits usage information of the image forming apparatus and state information of the image forming apparatus to the management server via the first communicator, and if an abnormality occurs in the first communicator, the controller transmits the usage information of the image forming apparatus or the state information of the image forming apparatus to the management server via the second communicator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and thelike.

Description of the Background Art

In corporations or the like, a Multi-Function Printer (MFP) is connectedto a network such as the Intranet, If a terminal device used by a userof the MFP is connected to a network to which the MFP is connected, itis possible for the user to transmit a job from the terminal device tothe MFP.

A technique has been proposed for an MFP including a network board thatis connected to a network different from a network such as the Intranetthat is normally used by users. For example, a technique has beenproposed in which a job management Information Base (MIB) generated frominformation about a type and quantity of consumable components istransmitted to an external ordering system via a network different fromthe network normally used by the users (for example, see JapaneseUnexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-117979).

However, the above-described technique has a problem that if a failureoccurs in the network different from the network normally used by theusers, information such as the information about the type and quantityof the consumable components is not transmitted to an external system.

In view of the above-described problems, an object of the presentinvention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable oftransmitting information of the image forming apparatus via a secondcommunicator if an abnormality occurs in a first communicator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To resolve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatusaccording to the present invention includes

a controller,

-   a communicator that communicates with a management server, and.-   an image former that forms an image, in which

the communicator includes a first communicator and a secondcommunicator, and

the controller performs control. to

-   -   transmit usage information of the image forming apparatus and        state information of the image forming apparatus to the        management server via the first communicator, and.    -   transmit the usage information of the image forming apparatus or        the state information of the image forming apparatus to the        management server via the second communicator, if an abnormality        occurs in the first communicator.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes

a controller,

-   a communicator that communicates with a management server, and-   an image former that forms an image, in which

the communicator includes a first communicator and a secondcommunicator, and

the controller performs control to

-   -   transmit an error content of the image forming apparatus and        error log data of the image forming apparatus to the management        server via the first communicator, and.    -   transmit the error content of the image forming apparatus or the        error log data of the image forming apparatus to the management        server via the second communicator, if an abnormality occurs in        the first communicator.

In a control method for an image forming apparatus according to thepresent invention, the image forming apparatus includes

a controller,

-   a communicator that, communicates with a management server, and-   an image former that forms an image, in which

the communicator includes a first communicator and a secondcommunicator, and the control method includes

transmitting usage information of the image forming apparatus and stateinformation of the image forming apparatus to the management server viathe first communicator, and

transmitting the usage information of the image forming apparatus or thestate information of the image forming apparatus to the managementserver via the second communicator, if a failure occurs in the firstcommunicator.

In a control method for an image forming apparatus according to thepresent invention, the image forming apparatus includes

a controller,

-   a communicator that, communicates with a management server, and-   an image former that forms an image, in which

the communicator includes a first communicator and a secondcommunicator, and the control method includes

transmitting an error content of the image forming apparatus and errorlog data of the image forming apparatus to the management server via thefirst communicator, and.

transmitting the error content of the image forming apparatus or theerror log data of the image forming apparatus to the management servervia the second communicator, if an abnormality occurs in the firstcommunicator.

The present invention enables transmission of information of an imageforming apparatus via a second communicator if an abnormality occurs ina first communicator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing an overall configuration of a systemaccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for describing a functional. configuration. ofan image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for describing a flow of a line errordetermination process according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for describing a flow of a line selection processaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a flow of a command transmissionprocess (request data transmission) according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a flow of a command transmissionprocess (error information transmission) according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for describing a functional configuration of amanagement server according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for describing a data configuration of errorinformation according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example accordingto the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation exampleaccording :o the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing a flow of a command transmissionprocess (error information transmission) according to a second.embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation exampleaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for describing a flow of a command transmissionprocess (request data transmission) according to a third embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation exampleaccording to the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Below, an embodiment; of the present invention will be described withreference to the drawings. It is noted that in the present embodiment,as an example, a system including an image forming apparatus to whichthe present invention is applied will be described.

1. First Embodiment 1.1 Overall Configuration

An overall configuration of a system 1 according to the presentembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and amanagement server 20.

The image forming apparatus 10 outputs an image by forming, on arecording sheet or the like, an image using image data input from theoutside, and is a so-called Multi-Function Printer. The managementserver 20 is an information processing apparatus that manages a state ofthe image forming apparatus 10. It is noted that the system 1 mayinclude a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1.0. In this case, themanagement server 20 manages states of the plurality of image formingapparatuses 10.

The image forming apparatus 10 is connectable to a network NW-A being afirst network of a Local Area Network (LAN) (for example, the Intranetbeing an in-company network) and a network NW-B of a Public network (forexample, a network. utilizing the Long Term Evolution (LTE)/5G, or thelike) as a second. network. The image forming apparatus 10 is furtherconnected to an external network NW-C being a third network. such as theInternet, via the network NW/-A and the network NW-B. Thus, the imageforming apparatus 10 communicates with the management server 20connected to the network NW-C.

A terminal device 30 may be connected to the network NW-A. The terminaldevice 30 communicates with the image forming apparatus 10 regardingdata and print jobs. The network. NW-A may he connected to the networkNW-C via a firewall FW. The firewall FW sets communication that isconnectable to the network NW-C among types of communication performedby apparatuses connected. to the network NW-A.

The management server 20 provides a service related to the image formingapparatus 10. For example, the management server 20 provides thefollowing services.

(1) Perform charging management by acquiring usage information (forexample, a counter value) of the image forming apparatus 10.

(2) Demand repair or provide information for troubleshooting byacquiring state information (for example, paper jam information) of theimage forming apparatus 10.

(3) Place an order of consumable items by acquiring state information(for example, a remaining toner amount) of the image forming apparatus10.

In the present embodiment, the network NW-A is referred to as a “usershared line” and the network. NW-B is referred to as a “servicededicated line.”

The service dedicated line is a dedicated line for connecting to theservices provided by the management server 20 described above. The usershared line is a shared line (network) used by ordinary users at a placewhere the image forming apparatus 10 is installed.

Generally, the user shared line is used by a user at an installationlocation of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus10 needs to periodically transmit information regarding the imageforming apparatus 10 to the management server 20, and it is notpreferable to use the user shared line for the following reasons.

(1) A network load of the user shared line increases. If communicationof information of the image forming apparatus 10 that is originally notrelated to the user is performed, a problem arises in that theperformance of the entire network deteriorates.

(2) The image forming apparatus 10 communicates with the managementserver 20, and thus, a setting of the firewall FW needs to he changed.Changing the setting of the firewall FW may not be preferable in termsof security.

(3) Procedures such as a separate contract are required. A communicationcontent of the image forming apparatus 10 is unclear to the user, andthus, procedures may be complicated if the information is disclosed or aseparate contract is concluded.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the service dedicated line is normallyused. to transmit the information (for example, usage information andstate information) of the image forming apparatus 10 to the management;server 20.

It is noted that the usage information and the state information in thepresent embodiment are pieces of information regarding the image formingapparatus 10.

Here, the usage information (first information) is information regardingthe usage of the image forming apparatus 10, such as a usage conditionof the image forming apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the usageinformation is, for example, count data of the image forming apparatus10. The count data is information indicating the number of images formedby an image former 140 described later. Information indicating thenumber of formed images for each type of recording sheet on which animage is formed and the number of formed images for each type of colormode (for example, monochrome or color) of the formed image may bestored in the count data.

The state information (second information) is information other than theusage information regarding the image forming apparatus 10, and isinformation acquirable by the image forming apparatus 10 in a currentstate and/or a past state or until. reaching the current state, Forexample, the state information includes log information indicating ahistory of the image forming apparatus 10, a usage condition of eachcomponent such as a fixer, defect prediction data predicted from theusage condition, operation information of devices such as a currenttemperature of a fixing device and an operation state of a fan, asetting value of the image forming apparatus, firmware data, and thelike. The defect prediction data may be detected by a sensor device 170described later. That is, in a case where no error occurs, but the datadetected. by the sensor device 170 is not included in a data rangeregarded as normal, the data detected by the sensor device 170 may beused as the defect prediction data.

In the present embodiment, the usage information being the firstinformation has a smaller data amount than the state information beingthe second information. That is, a case will be described in which thefirst information has a smaller data amount if the first information andthe second information are compared. Needless to say, the firstinformation and the second. information may be information other thanthe above-described information. For example, if the first informationand the second information are pieces of information related to anerror, the first information is an error content such. as informationindicating a date and time of an error occurrence and an error type (anerror code or the like), and the second information is a log indicatingthe error (error log data),

1.2 Functional Configuration

1.2.1 Image Forming Apparatus

A functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in thepresent embodiment will he described with reference to FIG. 2. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes acontroller 100, a first communicator 120, a second communicator 125, animage reader 130, an image processor 135, the image former 140, adisplay 150, an operation inputter 160, the sensor device 170, and astorage 180.

The controller 100 is a functional element that controls the entireimage forming apparatus 10. The controller 100 includes, for example,one or a plurality of arithmetic devices (a Central Processing Unit(CPU)), and realizes various types of functions by reading and executingvarious types of programs.

The controller 100 reads and executes a program stored in the storage180 to realize functions of a line error determiner 102, a line selector104, a command transmitter and receiver 106, an event receptionprocessor 108, and a data generation processor 110.

The line error determiner 102 determines whether a line state of theservice dedicated line is in a normal state where communication isperformed or whether the line state is in an abnormal state wherecommunication is not performed. The line error determiner 102 executes adetermination process while communication is being performed between theimage forming apparatus 10 and the management server 20 through theservice dedicated line, for example. An example of a line errordetermination process realized by the line error determiner 102 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3.

The line error determiner 102 performs communication through the servicededicated line (step S102). Specifically, the command. transmitter andreceiver 106, which will he described later, transmits a command anddata to the management server 20. Then, if “OK” is received as aresponse from the management server 20 (step S104; Yes), it isdetermined that the service dedicated line is in a normal s ;ate(communication is appropriately performed) (step S116).

For example, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits a “pollingrequest,” a “machine error alert,” and “request data” to the management.server 20. On the other hand, the management server 20 transmits a“polling response,” a “machine error alert response,” and a “requestdata response” to the image forming apparatus 10. Hereinafter, the“polling response,” the “machine error alert, response,” and the“request data response” transmitted from the management server 20 to theimage forming apparatus 10 are collectively referred to as a “response.”The response includes either “OK” as a parameter indicating normality(in this case, the response indicates a normal state), or “NG” as aparameter indicating abnormality (in this case, the response is NG).

If NG is received as a response from. the management server 20 (stepS106; Yes) or if a response is not received due to a timeout (step S106;No —> step S108; Yes), the line error determiner 102 adds (increments) 1to a value of a counter (step S110).

The line error determiner 102 determines whether the value of thecounter is equal to or greater than a determination value (for example,“5”) (step S112). If the value of the counter is not equal to or greaterthan the determination value (step S112; No), communication is performedagain through the service dedicated line (step S102). That is, the lineerror determiner 102 transmits a polling request or the like to themanagement server 20 via the service dedicated line (step S 102).

If the value of the counter is equal to or greater than thedetermination value in step S112, the line error determiner 102determines that the “polling request,” the “machine error alert,” andthe “request data” are not transmitted within a predetermined time, andthus, the service dedicated line experiences an error (step S112;Yes—>step S114).

It is noted that the line error determiner 102 may determine by anothermethod that an error occurs in the service dedicated line (communicationis not performed). For example, a response utilizing Ping may be checkedor network management information may be utilized. For example, the lineerror determiner 102 may receive a signal indicating that communicationis currently possible/impossible from a core network via the firstcommunicator 120.

The line error determiner 102 may execute the line error determinationprocess each time the image forming apparatus 10 performs communicationutilizing the service dedicated line, or may execute the line errordetermination process by periodical interruption.

The line selector 104 selects a line used when the image formingapparatus 10 communicates with the management server 20 from among aservice dedicated line or a user shared line. An example of a lineselection process realized by the line selector 104 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 4.

The line selector 104 causes the line error determiner 102 to determinewhether an error occurs in the service dedicated line (step S132). Here,if an error occurs in the service dedicated line, the line selector 104selects the user shared line as a line for transmitting and receivingdata in the future (step S132; Yes—>step S134).

On the other hand., if no error occurs in the service dedicated line,the line selector 104 selects the service dedicated line as a line fortransmitting and receiving data in the future (step 32; No—>step S136).

The line selector 104 may execute the line selection process after theline error determination process is executed by the line errordeterminer 102, or each time the command transmitter and receiver 106transmits a command to the management server 20.

The command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits and receives acommand that is exchanged with the management server 20. For example,the command transmitter and receiver 106 analyzes a command receivedfrom the management server 20, and transmits necessary data from a lineselected by the line selector 104.

Here, the command transmitter and receiver 106 executes a transmissionprocess and a reception process. For example, in the transmissionprocess executed by the command transmitter and receiver 106,transmission data generated by the event reception processor 108 or thedata generation processor 110 is transmitted as a command to themanagement server 20.

If transmitting a command, the command transmitter and receiver 106transmits a command to the management server 20 by utilizing the lineselected by the line selector 104. At this time, as will be describedlater, if the user shared line is selected by the line selector 104, thecommand transmitter and receiver 106 limits, suppresses, or compresses atype of data to be transmitted. in the present embodiment, an examplewill be described. where the command. transmitter and receiver 106limits (selects) the type of data to be transmitted if the user sharedline is selected by the line selector 104.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing an example of a command transmissionprocess for transmitting request data from among command transmissionand reception processes executed by the command transmitter and receiver106.

If the service dedicated line experiences an error, the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 transmits only the usage information (firstinformation) to the management server 20 (step S142; Yes—>step S144).

If the service dedicated line is in a normal state, the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 transmits the usage information (firstinformation) and the state information (second information) to themanagement; server 20 (step S142; No—>step S146).

In this way, the command transmitter and receiver 1.06 appropriatelyselects necessary data according to the line state of the servicededicate line, and transmits the data to the management server 20 via anappropriate line. The command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits theselected information as a command (included in a command) to themanagement server 20 via the line selected by the line selector 104.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing an example of a command transmissionprocess for transmitting error information from among commandtransmission processes executed by the command transmitter and receiver106. The first information is an error content and the secondinformation is error log data. if the service dedicated line experiencesan error, the command. transmitter and. receiver 106 transmits only theerror content (first information) to the management server 20 (stepS152; Yes—>step S154).

On the other hand., if the service dedicated. line is in a normal state(if no error occurs), the command transmitter and receiver 106 transmitsthe error content (first information) and the error log data (secondinformation) to the management server 20 (step S152; No—>step S156).

In the reception process executed by the command transmitter andreceiver 106, a command transmitted from the management server 20 isreceived by the command transmitter and receiver 106, for example. Then,the command transmitter and receiver 106 analyzes the command and.extracts a parameter and data included in the command. The commandtransmitter and receiver 106 also transmits a notification to the eventreception processor 108 and/or the data generation processor 110 asnecessary. For example, the command transmitter and receiver 106notifies the event reception processor 108 of an event of acquiring asetting value in the image forming apparatus 10, an event of rewritingdata in the image forming apparatus 10, an event of acquiring a log inthe image forming apparatus 10, and the like.

If an interruption occurs in the image forming apparatus 10, the eventreception processor 108 receives the interruption as an event. Forexample, if an error (for example, a paper jam, a waste toner bottlereplacement, or an empty toner) occurs in the age forming apparatus 10,a notification is transmitted, as an event, to each of the functionalelements such as the controller 100. The event reception processor 108transmits a notification to a functional element that processes varioustypes of events, based on the notification received from the commandtransmitter and receiver 106. For example, the event reception processor108 notifies a functional element that performs a process of acquiring asetting value in the image forming apparatus 10 of the event ofacquiring the setting value in the image forming apparatus 10. In thisway, the event reception processor 108 generates an event based on thecommand received from the server to execute a necessary process. Anexecution result of the event (for example, the setting value in theimage forming apparatus 10) is stored. in the storage 180 throughprocesses by each of the functional elements.

The data generation processor 110 collects requested data based on thenotification from the command transmitter and receiver 106 to generate acommand to be transmitted to the management server 20. The datageneration processor 110 may also collect data related to the eventreceived. by the event reception processor 108 to generate a command tobe transmitted to the management server 20.

Here, the command and data generated by the data generation processor110 include for example the following.

(1) Polling request

(2) Machine error alert

(3) Request data.

The polling request is a command for the line error determiner 102 todetermine whether a line through which the image forming apparatus 10and the management server 20 communicate is in a normal state. Thepolling request may be appropriately transmitted. from the image formingapparatus 10 before the communication between the image formingapparatus 10 and the management server 20, or may be periodicallytransmitted (for example, every one second, every five seconds, everyone minute, or every 30 minutes). If receiving a polling responseincluding a parameter “OK” from the management server 20, the line errordeterminer 102 determines that a communication line is in a normalstate.

The machine error alert is data and a command transmitted to themanagement server 20 if an error occurs in the image forming apparatus10. The machine error alert includes, as a parameter, one or a pluralityof pieces of information such as a date and time of the erroroccurrence, a type of the error, and error log data. If thecommunication line is in an abnormal state, the machine error alert mayalso include, as a parameter, a fact that an error occurs in thecommunication line.

The request data is data transmitted if a data acquisition request isissued from the management server 20. The request data includes theusage information and/or the state information as data. The imageforming apparatus 10 receives a polling response from the managementserver 20. If the polling response includes an acquisition request, thedata generation processor 110 generates data included in the acquisitionrequest. Then, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the request datato the management server 20.

The first communicator 120 connects to the service dedicated line(network NW-B) and communicates with the management server 20. Forexample, the first communicator 120 includes a communication module thatis connectable to the Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE-Advanced (LTE-A)/aLicense-Assisted Access (LAA) using the LTE/a 5G line.

The second communicator 125 connects to the user shared line (networkNW-A) and communicates with other devices. For example, the secondcommunicator 125 includes a wired/wireless LAN communication. modulethat is connectable to Ethernet (registered trademark).

The image reader 130 is a functional. element that reads an image of adocument and generates image data. For example, the image reader 130includes a scanner device provided with a device that converts opticalinformation of a Charge Coupled. Device (CCD), a Contact Image Sensor(CIS), or the like into an electric

The image processor 135 is a functional element that performs varioustypes of image processes and. image quality adjustment of image data.For example, the image processor 135 performs a sharpening process or acolor conversion process of image data.

The image former 140 is a functional element that forms image data on astorage medium (for example, a recording sheet). The image former 140includes, for example, a laser printer or the like utilizing anelectrophotographic method.

The display 150 is a functional element that displays various types ofinformation to the user, and includes, for example, a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD), an organic Electro Luminescence (EL) display, or thelike. The operation inputter 160 is a functional element that receivesan operation instruction from the user, and includes various types ofkey switches, and a hardware key that detects a touch input or the like.The image forming apparatus 10 may include a touch panel in which thedisplay 150 and the operation inputter 160 are integrally formed. Byutilizing the touch panel, the operation inputter 160 may be realized bya software key, for example. A method of detecting an input on the touchpanel may be a common detection method such as a resistive method, touchscreen technology utilizing infrared or electromagnetic induction, or acapacitive method.

The sensor device 170 is a functional element that detects an operationstate inside the image forming apparatus 10, and includes various typesof sensors. For example, the sensor device 170 includes a speed sensorto detect a speed at which a recording sheet on which an image is formedis moved. inside the image forming apparatus 10 when the controller 100executes a print or copy job, and includes a temperature sensor todetect a temperature or the like inside the image forming apparatus

The storage 180 is a functional element that stores various types ofprograms and various types of data necessary for an operation of theimage forming apparatus 10. The storage 180 includes, for example, aSolid State Drive (SSD) being a semiconductor memory, and a Hard DiskDrive (HDD).

In the present embodiment, the storage 180 secures a usage informationstorage area 182, a state information storage area 184, a settinginformation storage area 186, and an image data storage area 188.

The usage information storage area 182 stores usage information in theimage forming apparatus 10. The state information storage area 184stores state information in the image forming apparatus 10,

The setting information storage area 186 stores information set in theimage forming apparatus 10. For example, information indicating aconnection destination of the management server 20 (for example, an IPaddress) and information such as a timing for performing a pollingoperation with respect to the management server 20 are stored as settinginformation related to communication with the server.

The polling operation is executed by the image forming apparatus 10 withrespect to the management server 20. For example, any timing such asevery one second, every three seconds, every one minute, or every 30minutes is set as a timing for polling. The timing may be automaticallyset depending on a line condition of the network (for example, a maximumvalue of a communication speed usable during transmission).

The image data storage area 188 stores image data to be output by theimage former 140. The image data storage area 188 stores, for example,image data of a document read. by the image reader 130 and image databased on data transmitted from an external device such as the terminaldevice 30 via the second communicator 125.

1.2.2 Management Server

A functional configuration of the management server 20 in the presentembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the management server 20 includes a controller 200, acommunicator 210, a display 220, an operation inputter 230, and astorage 240.

The controller 200 is a functional element that controls the entiremanagement server 20. The controller 200 realizes various types offunctions by reading and executing various types of programs, andincludes, for example, one or a plurality of arithmetic devices (CPU).

The controller 200 realizes functions of a command transmitter andreceiver 202 and a data generation processor 204 by reading andexecuting a program stored. in the storage 240.

The command transmitter and receiver 202 transmits and receives acommand that is exchanged with the image forming apparatus 10. Forexample, the command transmitter and receiver 202 analyzes a commandreceived from the image forming apparatus 10 and transmits a responseincluding a parameter to the image forming apparatus 10.

Here, the command transmitter and receiver 202 executes a transmissionprocess and a reception process. In the transmission process executed bythe command transmitter and receiver 202, transmission data generated bythe data generation processor 204 is transmitted as a command to themanagement server 20, for example.

In the reception process executed by the command transmitter andreceiver 202, a command transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10is received. by the command transmitter and receiver 202, for example.Then, the command transmitter and receiver 202 analyzes the command andextracts a parameter and data included in the command. The commandtransmitter and receiver 202 performs notification with respect to thedata generation processor 204 as necessary.

Here, a command and data generated by the data. generation processor 204include for example the following.

(1) Polling response

(2) Machine error alert response

(3) Request data response

The polling response is a command that responds to a polling requestreceived from the image forming apparatus 10. The data generationprocessor 204 may include, in the polling response, a parameter “OK”indicating that a communication state is normal or a parameter “NG”indicating that the communication state is abnormal. A parameter“acquisition request” that requests data of the image forming apparatus10 may also be included in the polling response.

The machine error alert response is a command that responds to a machineerror alert received from. the image forming apparatus 10. if an errorcontent of the alert is normally received from the image formingapparatus 10, the management server 20 transmits the machine error alertresponse to the image forming apparatus 10, At this time, if the errorcontent is normally received, the data generation processor 204 mayinclude a parameter “OK” in a parameter of the machine error alertresponse.

The request data response is a command that responds to a case whererequest data received from the image forming apparatus 1.0 is correctlyreceived. The data generation processor 204 may include a parameter “OK”in the request data response.

The communicator 210 is a functional. element used by the managementserver 20 to communicate with an external device. For example, thecommunicator 210 is configured as an interface that performscommunication via a wireless LAN or a wired LAN.

The display 220 displays various types of information. For example, thedisplay 220 includes a device such as an LCD or an organic EL display.The operation inputter 230 is a functional element that receives anoperation input from the user, and includes, for example, an externalinput device such as a keyboard and a mouse.

The storage 240 is a functional element that stores various types ofprograms and various types of data necessary for an operation of themanagement server 20. The storage 240 includes, for example, an SSDbeing a semiconductor memory, and an HDD.

The storage 240 secures storage areas of a usage information storagearea 242, a state information storage area 244, and an error informationstorage area 246, and stores an image forming apparatus management table248.

The usage information storage area 242 stores usage information acquiredfrom the image forming apparatus 10. The state information storage area244 stores state information acquired from the image forming apparatus10. The storage 240 may store the usage information and the stateinformation for each image forming apparatus 10 from which theinformation is received. It is noted that the usage information anddevice information have substantially the same data configuration as theusage information and the device information stored in the image formingapparatus 10.

The error information storage area 246 stores information (errorinformation) regarding an error acquired. from. the image formingapparatus 10. The error information in the present embodiment includesan apparatus ID (for example, “1”) that identifies the image formingapparatus 10, the date and time of error occurrence (for example,“2019/04/01 11:01:22”), an error type (for example, “paper jam”), anderror log data (for example, “ERROR 2019-04-01 11:01:22 paper jam,tray1”).

The image forming apparatus management table 248 manages the imageforming apparatus 10 managed by the management server 20. For example,the image forming apparatus management table 248 stores an IP address ofthe image forming apparatus 10, a timing of information acquisition fromthe image forming apparatus 10, and the like, and the controller 200refers to the image forming apparatus management table 248 to manage theimage forming apparatus 10,

1.2.3 Terminal Device

The terminal device 30 is an information processing apparatus such as acomputer, a smartphone, or a tablet that is connected to the networkNW-A. The terminal device 30 includes at least a controller, a storage,and a communicator. The terminal device 30 may also include a display,an operation processor, and the like as necessary.

The terminal device 30 transmits a print job to the image formingapparatus 10 via the network NW-A. The image forming apparatus 10 storesthe print job received via the second communicator 125 in the storage180. Then, the image forming apparatus 10 reads a print job asappropriate, executes image processing in the image processor 135, andthen forms an image on, for example, a recording paper by the imageformer 140.

1.3 Process Flow

In the present embodiment, a content communicated by the image formingapparatus 10 with the management server 20 using the service dedicatedline and the user shared line will he described with reference to thedrawings. FIGS. 9 and 10 are sequence diagrams illustrating a content;of a communication performed by the image forming apparatus 10 with themanagement server 20 using the service dedicated line and the usershared line.

1.4.1. Process in Normal State

First, a process flow if no line error occurs in the service dedicatedline will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

First, a polling operation (B1100) performed by the image formingapparatus 10 with respect to the management server 20 will be described.

Specifically, the command transmitter and receiver 106 of the imageforming apparatus 10 transmits the polling request generated by the datageneration processor 110 to the management server 20 via the firstcommunicator 120 (S1102). The command. transmitter and receiver 202 ofthe management. server 20 analyzes the received polling request andnotifies the data generation processor 204 of the polling request. Thedata generation processor 204 that receives the notification generates acommand of a polling response. Then, the command transmitter andreceiver 202 transmits the polling response generated by the datageneration processor 204 to the image forming apparatus 10 via thecommunicator 210 (S1104).

The polling request is correctly received through the service dedicatedline, and thus, the data generation processor 204 may generate a commandof a polling response by including “OK” as a parameter. At this point,there is no data to be requested from the image forming apparatus 10,and thus, the management server 20 may include only “OK” as a parameteror may include a parameter indicating “no request.”

As described above, the polling request and the polling response aretransmitted between the image forming apparatus 10 and the managementserver 20 via the service dedicated line.

Next, an operation when a machine error occurs in the image formingapparatus 10 will be described (B1200).

If an error occurs in the image forming apparatus 10, the eventreception processor 108 detects the error and transmits a notificationto each of the functional elements. Based on the notification from theevent reception processor 108, the data generation processor 110collects data such as an error content (date and time of erroroccurrence and error type) and error log data, as information about theerror. Then, the data generation processor 1.10 generates a command of amachine error alert including the collected data.

The command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits a machine error alertto the management server 20 via the first communicator 120 (S1106).

The command transmitter and receiver 202 of the management server 20receives the machine error alert from the image forming apparatus 10 viathe communicator 210. The command transmitter and receiver 202 of themanagement server 20 analyzes a content of the command, Based. on ananalysis result of the command transmitter and receiver 202, thecontroller 200 stores, as error information, the error content and theerror log data in the error information storage area 246, and displaysthe error information (for example, the error type) on the display 220(S1108—>S1110).

In the management server 20, the data generation processor 204 generatesa command of a machine error alert response. Then, the commandtransmitter and receiver 202 transmits the machine error alert responsegenerated by the data generation processor 204 to the image formingapparatus 10 (S1112). The data generation processor 204 may include “OK”indicating that, a process is normally performed, in a parameter of themachine error alert response.

As described above, the machine error alert and the machine error alert,response if a machine error occurs are transmitted and. received. bycommunication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the managementserver 20 via the service dedicated line.

Next, an operation (B1300) in a case where the management server 20includes an acquisition request in a parameter of the polling responsewill be described.

Specifically, the command transmitter and receiver 106 of the imageforming apparatus 10 transmits the polling request generated by the datageneration processor 110 to the management server 20 via the firstcommunicator 120 (S1114). The command. transmitter and receiver 202 ofthe management server 20 analyzes the received polling request andnotifies the data generation processor 204 of the polling request.

The data generation processor 204 that receives the notificationgenerates a command of a polling response. At this time, the datageneration processor 204 includes an “acquisition request” as aparameter in the polling response. Then, the command transmitter andreceiver 202 transmits the polling response generated by the datageneration processor 204 to the image forming apparatus 10 via thecommunicator 210 (S1116).

If the command transmitter and receiver 106 of the image formingapparatus 10 analyzes the polling response and determines that the“acquisition request” is included as a parameter, the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 notifies the data generation processor 110of reception of the acquisition request from the management; server 20.The data generation processor 110 reads the usage information storagearea 182 and the state information storage area 184, and generatesrequest data including the usage information and the state information.Then, the command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits the generatedrequest data via the first communicator 120 (S1118).

The command transmitter and receiver 202 analyzes the request datareceived from the image forming apparatus 10 and extracts the usageinformation and the state information. The controller 200 stores theextracted usage information in the usage information storage area 242and stores the extracted state information in the state informationstorage area 244 (S1120). Then, the controller 200 displays the usageinformation and the state information included in the request data(S1122),

The command transmitter and receiver 202 notifies the data generationprocessor 204 of reception of the request data. The data generationprocessor 204 that receives the notification generates a command of arequest data response. Then, the command transmitter and receiver 202transmits the request data response generated by the data generationprocessor 204 to the image forming apparatus 10 via the communicator 210(S1124).

As described. above, the request data and the request data response aretransmitted and received by communication bet Teen the image formingapparatus 10 and the management server 20 via the service dedicated

1.4.2 During Occurrence of Line Error

Next, an operation if a line error occurs in the service dedicated linewill be described with reference to FIG. 10.

First, the data generation processor 110 of the image forming apparatus10 generates a command of a polling request. Then, the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 transmits the polling request to themanagement server 20 via the first communicator 120 (S1202 in FIG. 10).

Here, if a reception of a response from the management; server 20 timesout or a polling response including a piece of information “NG” isacquired, the command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits the pollingrequest again via the first communicator 120 (S1204).

That is, the polling response is not received in S1202, and thus, theline error determiner 102 determines whether the service dedicated linecurrently in a normal state or experiences an error. Thus, the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 repeatedly transmits the polling requestuntil a value is equal to or greater than a determination value.

If an error occurs in the service dedicated line, the line errordeterminer 102 determines that an error occurs in the service dedicatedline. Then, the line selector 104 switches a communicator thatcommunicates with the management server 20 from the first communicator120 to the second communicator 125. That is, as a communication line forperforming communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and themanagement server 20, the user shared line is selected rather than theservice dedicated line (S1206 in FIG. 10/step S132 in FIG. 4; Yes—>stepS134).

It is noted that the command transmitter and receiver 106 of the imageforming apparatus 10 periodically transmits the polling request to themanagement server 20 via the first communicator 120 at constantintervals (for example, S1216 and S1226), This is because the line errordeterminer 102 determines that the error in the service dedicated lineis resolved.

If receiving a notification about a failure occurring in the firstcommunicator 120, the event reception processor 108 notifies each of thefunctional. elements about the failure. Based on the notification fromthe event reception processor 108, the data generation processor 110that receives the notification collects information regarding the errorand generates a command of a machine error alert.

The command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits the machine erroralert to the management server 20. However, in S 1206, the communicatorthat communicates with the management server 20 is switched to thesecond communicator 125, and thus, the command transmitter and receiver106 selects data to he transmitted to the management server 20.Specifically, the command transmitter and receiver 106 limits data to beincluded in the machine error alert to the error content, and thentransmits the machine error alert to the management server 20 (S1208).Thus, the error content is transmitted to the management server 20, butthe error log data is not transmitted.

The command transmitter and receiver 202 of the management server 20analyzes the received machine error alert and notifies the datageneration processor 204 of the machine error alert. The datageneration. processor 204 that receives the notification generates acommand of a machine error alert response. Then, the command transmitterand receiver 202 transmits the generated command of the error alertresponse to the image forming apparatus 10 (S1210). The controller 200stores and displays the error content received from the image formingapparatus 10.

The command transmitter and receiver 106 of the image forming apparatus10 transmits a polling request (S1212) and receives a polling response(S1214) via the second communicator

If transmitting a polling request (S1218) and receiving a pollingresponse including a parameter of an acquisition request (S1220), thecommand transmitter and receiver 106 transmits request data via thesecond communicator 125 (S1222). In this case, the communicator thatcommunicates with the management server 20 is switched to the secondcommunicator 125, and thus, the command transmitter and receiver 106selects data to he transmitted to the management server 20 and limitsdata to be transmitted. Specifically, the command transmitter andreceiver 106 of the image forming apparatus 10 sets data to be includedin the request data to the usage information and then transmits therequest data to the management server 20. The command transmitter andreceiver 106 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives a request dataresponse via the second communicator 125 (S1224).

Here, if the line error determiner 102 transmits a polling request viathe first communicator 120 (S1226), a polling response may be receivedfrom the management server 20 (S1228), In such a case, the line selector104 switches the communicator that communicates with the managementserver 20 from the second communicator 125 to the first communicator120. That is, as the communication line for performing communicationbetween the image forming apparatus 10 and the management server 20, theservice dedicated line is selected rather than the user shared line(S1230 in FIG. 10/step S132 in FIG. 4; No—>step 136).

After the communicator that communicates with the management server 20is switched to the first communicator 120, the command transmitter andreceiver 106 transmits a polling request to the management server 20 viathe first communicator 120 (S1232). If receiving a polling responseincluding a parameter of an acquisition request (S1234), the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 transmits request data to the managementserver 20 via the first communicator 120 (S1236). It is noted. that thecommunication with the management server 20 is performed via the firstcommunicator 120, and thus, the command transmitter and receiver 106does not select data to be included. in the request data. The commandtransmitter and receiver 106 receives a request data. response from themanagement. server 20 via the first communicator 120 (S1238).

According to the present embodiment, even if an abnormality such as aline error occurs in a line (service dedicated line) connecting theimage forming apparatus 1.0 and the management server 20, thecommunication with the management server 20 is performed by switching toanother line (user shared line). Thus, it is possible to prevent aninterruption of the communication between the image forming apparatus 10and the management server 20.

If the user shared line is used to perform communication between theimage forming apparatus 10 and the management server 20, a data amountto be communicated by using the user shared line used by the user issuppressed by limiting a communication amount and. data to becommunicated. Thus, it is possible for the image forming apparatus 10 toperform necessary communication with the management server 20.

Even after the abnormality occurs in the service dedicated line, theimage forming apparatus 10 communicates with the management server 20 byusing the service dedicated line at constant intervals to determine astate of the service dedicated line. Thus, if the service dedicated lineis restored, the image forming apparatus 10 automatically switches thecommunication with the management server 20 to the communication usingthe service dedicated line without using the user shared line.

2. Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. Unlike the firstembodiment, in the second embodiment, if the image forming apparatus 10does not normally transmit a machine error alert to the managementserver 20, a line to be used is switched and then a machine error alertis transmitted. That is, in the first embodiment, if an error occurs inthe service dedicated line when the machine error alert is transmittedin step S102 of the line error determination process, the line errordetermination process ends without the machine error alert beingtransmitted. Thus, a content of the error that occurs in the imageforming apparatus 10 is not transmitted to the management server 20. Thepresent embodiment appropriately deals with such a case. In the presentembodiment, FIG. 6 of the first embodiment is replaced with FIG. 11. Itis noted that the same numeral. or symbol is attached to the samefunctional element and process, and description of the duplicated partis omitted.

A command transmission process for transmitting error informationaccording to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 11. First, if the service dedicated line is in a normal state (ifno error occurs), the command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits theerror content (first information) and the error log data (secondinformation) to the management server 20 (step S152; No—>step S156).

At this time, if OK is not received as a response from the managementserver 20, the command transmitter and receiver 106 determines whetherNG is received as a response from. the management server 20 (step S202;No—>step S204). If NG is not received as a response, the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 determines whether a response is notreceived due to a timeout (step S204; No—>step S206). If NG is receivedas a response from the management server 20 (step S204; Yes) or aresponse is not received due to the timeout (step S206; Yes), thecommand transmitter and receiver 106 adds 1 to the value of the counter(step S208).

The command transmitter and receiver 106 determines whether the value ofthe counter is equal. to or greater than the determination value (forexample, “5”) (step S210). If the value of the counter is not equal toor greater than the determination value (step S210; No), the errorcontent and the error log data are again transmitted through the servicededicated line (step S156).

On the other hand, if the value of the counter is equal to or greaterthan the determination value in step S210 (step S210; Yes), the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 switches the communicator used forcommunication with the management server 20 to the second communicator125. That is, the command transmitter and receiver 106 selects the usershared line as a line for transmitting and receiving data (step S212).Then, if the service dedicated line experiences an error, the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 transmits only the error content (firstinformation) to the management server 20 (step S154).

An operation example of the present embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 12. First, the command transmitter and receiver 106transmits a polling request to the management server 20 via the firstcommunicator 120 (S2102). The command transmitter and receiver 106receives a polling response transmitted from the management server 20via the first communicator 120 (S2104).

If an error occurs in the image forming apparatus 10, the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 transmits a machine error alert includingthe error content and the error log data to the management server 20 viathe first communicator 120 (S2106). At this time, if the transmission isnot performed normally, the command transmitter and receiver 106repeatedly transmits the machine error alert (S2108).

If the transmission of the machine error alert is not performed normallyeven when the machine error alert is transmitted a predetermined numberof times of a determination value, the command transmitter and receiver106 switches the communicator that communicates with the managementserver 20 from the first communicator 120 to the second communicator 125(S2110).

The command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits the machine erroralert including the error content not transmitted in S2106 to themanagement server 20 via the second communicator 125 (S2112). Uponreceiving a machine error alert response from the management server 20(S2114), the command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits a machineerror alert in which the error content indicates a service dedicatedline error to the management server 20 via the second communicator 125(S2116). The command transmitter and receiver 106 again receives amachine error alert response from the management. server 20 (S2118).

The subsequent process is the same as S 1208 of the first embodiment.That is, after switching the communicator that communicates with themanagement server 20 to the second communicator 125, the image formingapparatus 10 communicates with the management server 20 via the secondcommunicator 125. The command transmitter and receiver 106 of the imageforming apparatus 10 periodically transmits a polling request to themanagement server 20 via the first communicator 120 at constantintervals (S1226). At this time, if a polling response is received fromthe management server 20 (S1228), the line selector 104 switches thecommunicator that communicates with the management server 20 from thesecond communicator 125 to the first communicator 120 (S1230).

According to the present embodiment, if the machine error alert is notnormally transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 to themanagement server 20, the machine error alert is transmitted by usingthe user shared line.

3. Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described. Unlike the first embodiment,in the third embodiment, if the image forming apparatus 10 does notnormally transmit request data to the management server 20, a line to beused is switched and then the request data is transmitted. The presentembodiment appropriately deals with a case where an error occurs in theservice dedicated. line when request data is transmitted. in S102 of theline error determination process. In the present embodiment, FIG. 5 ofthe first embodiment is replaced with FIG. 13. It is noted that the samenumeral or symbol is attached to the same functional element andprocess, and description of the duplicated part is omitted.

A command transmission process for transmitting request data accordingto the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13.First, if the service dedicated line is in a normal state (if no erroroccurs), the command transmitter and. receiver 1.06 transmits usageinformation and state information to the management server 20 (stepS142; No step S146).

If OK is not received. as a response from the management server 20, thecommand transmitter and. receiver 106 determines whether NO is receivedas a response from the management server 20 (step S302; No—>step S304),and. whether a response is not received due to a timeout (step S304;No—>stepS306). If NG is received as a response from the managementserver 20 (step S304; Yes) or if a response is not received due to thetimeout (step S306; Yes), the command transmitter and receiver 106 adds1 to the value of the counter (step S308).

The command. transmitter and. receiver 1.06 determines whether the valueof the counter is equal to or greater than the determination value (forexample, “5”) (step S310). If the value of the counter is not equal toor greater than the determination value (step S310; No), the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 transmits the usage information and thestate information again through the service dedicated line (step S146).

On the other hand, if the value of the counter is equal to or greaterthan the determination value in step S310 (step S310; Yes), the commandtransmitter and receiver 106 switches the communicator used forcommunication with the management server 20 to the second communicator125. That is, the command transmitter and receiver 106 selects the usershared line as a line for transmitting and receiving data (step S312).Then, the command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits only the usageinformation (first information) to the management server 20 (stepS1.44).

An operation example of the present embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 14. First, the command transmitter and receiver 106transmits a polling request to the management server 20 via the firstcommunicator 120 (S3102). The command transmitter and receiver 106receives a polling response transmitted from the management server 20via the first communicator 120 (S3104).

If an acquisition request is included in the polling response, thecommand. transmitter and receiver 106 transmits request data includingusage information and. state information to the management server 20 viathe first communicator 120 (S3106). At this time, if the transmission isnot performed normally, the command transmitter and receiver 106repeatedly transmits the request data (S3108).

If the transmission of the request data is not normally performed evenwhen the request data is transmitted a predetermined number of times ofthe determination value, the command transmitter and receiver 106switches the communicator that communicates with the management server20 from the first communicator 120 to the second communicator 125(S3110).

The command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits the request dataincluding the usage information not transmitted. in 531.06 to themanagement server 20 via the second communicator 125 (S3112). Uponreceiving a request data response from the management server 20 (S3114),the command transmitter and receiver 106 transmits a machine error alertin which the error content indicates a service dedicated line error tothe management server 20 via the second communicator 125 (S3116). Thecommand transmitter and. receiver 1.06 receives a machine error alertresponse from the management server 20 (S3118).

The subsequent process is the same as S 1208 of the first embodiment.That is, after switching the communicator that communicates with themanagement server 20 to the second communicator 125, the image formingapparatus 10 communicates with the management server 20 via the secondcommunicator 125. The command transmitter and receiver 106 of the imageforming apparatus 10 periodically transmits a polling request to themanagement server 20 via the first communicator 120 at constantintervals (S1226). At this time, if a polling response is received fromthe management server 20 (S1228), the line selector 104 switches thecommunicator that communicates with the management server 20 from thesecond. communicator 125 to the first communicator 120 (S1230).

According to the present embodiment, if the request data is not normallytransmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 to the management server20, the request data is transmitted by using the user shared line.

4. Modification

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and canhave various modifications. That is, embodiments obtained by combiningtechnical means appropriately changed within the scope not departingfrom the gist of the present invention are also included in thetechnical scope of the present invention.

Further, although the above-described embodiments have portionsdescribed separately for convenience of description, it is needless tosay that the embodiments may be combined and executed within atechnically possible range.

In addition, a program. operating in each. of the devices in theembodiments is a program (a program for making a computer function) thatcontrols a CPU and the like to realize the functions of theabove-described embodiments. Information processed by these devices istemporarily stored in a temporary storage device (such as a RAM) at thetime of processing the information, and then stored in storage devicessuch as various types of Read Only Memories (ROMs) and HDDs, and. read.,or corrected/written by the CPU as necessary.

Here, examples of a storage medium for storing the program may include asemiconductor medium (such as a ROM and a non-volatile memory card), anoptical storage medium/magneto-optical storage medium (such as a DigitalVersatile Disc (DVD), a Magneto Optical Disc (MO), a Mini Disc (MD), aCompact Disc (CD), and a Blu-ray Disc (BD) (registered trademark)), anda magnetic storage medium (such as magnetic tape and a flexible disk).in addition to a case where the functions of the above-describedembodiments are realized by executing the loaded program, there may be acase where the functions of the present invention are realized as aresult of processing that is based on the instructions of the programand. performed. in cooperation with an operating system, anotherapplication program, or the like.

In addition, if the program is distributed. to a market, the program maylie stored in a portable storage medium to be distributed, or theprogram may be transferred to a server computer connected via a networksuch as the Internet. In this case, of course, a storage device of theserver computer is also included in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 System-   10 image forming apparatus-   100 Controller-   102 Line error determiner-   104 Line selector-   106 Command transmitter and receiver-   108 Event reception processor-   110 Data generation processor-   120 First communicator-   125 Second communicator-   130 Image reader-   135 Image processor-   140 Image former-   150 Display-   160 Operation inputter-   170 Sensor device-   180 Storage-   182 Usage information storage area-   184 State information storage area-   186 Setting information storage area-   188 Image data storage area-   20 Management server-   200 Controller-   210 Communicator-   220 Display-   230 Operation inputter-   240 Storage-   242 Usage information storage area-   244 State information storage area-   246 Error information storage area-   248 image forming apparatus management table

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: acontroller; an image former, wherein the controller is configured tocommunicate with an external device via a first communication method ora second communication method, the image former is configured to form animage, and the controller performs control. to transmit usageinformation of the image forming apparatus or state information of theimage forming apparatus to the external device via the firstcommunication method., and. transmit the usage information of the imageforming apparatus or the state information of the image formingapparatus to the external device via the second communication method. ifa problem occurs in the first communication method.
 2. The image formingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage information includescount data indicating the number of images formed by the image former.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if theusage information of the image forming apparatus and the stateinformation of the image forming apparatus are not transmitted to theexternal device within a predetermined. time, the controller determinesthat the problem occurs in the first communication method.
 4. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the problem hasoccurred in the first communication method, the controller determines atconstant intervals whether the problem in the first communication methodis resolved.
 5. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a controller; animage form er. wherein the controller is configured to communicate withan external device via a first communication method or a secondcommunication method, the image former is configured to form an image,and the controller performs control to transmit an error content of theimage forming apparatus or error log data of the image forming apparatusto the external device via the first communication method; and transmitthe error content of the image forming apparatus or the error log dataof the image forming apparatus to the external device via the secondcommunicator, if a problem occurs in the first communication method. 6.A control method for an image forming apparatus, the image formingapparatus including: a controller; an image former, the controller isconfigured to communicate with an external device via a firstcommunication method or a second communication method, the image formeris configured to form an image, wherein the method comprises:transmitting usage information of the image forming apparatus or stateinformation of the image forming apparatus to the external device viathe first communication method; and transmitting the usage informationof the image forming apparatus or the state information of the imageforming apparatus to the external device via the second communicator, ifa problem. occurs in the first communication method.
 7. A control methodfor an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including: acontroller; an image former, the controller is configured to communicatewith an external device via a first communication method or a secondcommunication method, the image former is configured to form an image,wherein the method comprises: transmitting an error content of the imageforming apparatus or error log data of the image forming apparatus tothe external device via the first communicator; and transmitting theerror content of the image forming apparatus or the error log data ofthe image forming apparatus to the external device via the secondcommunicator if a problem occurs in the first communication method.